[freepersup]

400 mile flight approx.

43 gallon tank.

At 6.2 lbs. per gallon, a full tank would weigh 266.6 lbs.

160- HP engine. Can have up to a 210 HP engine.

Useful load 645lbs. (passengers, luggage and fuel.)

Range 1,450.

Single occupant of 200lbs. approx., leaves 445 lbs. for fuel and luggage...

The cause could be fuel starvation although the numbers don't add up, however- lack of a fire is perplexing if sufficient fuel WAS on board. Not sure how quick the NTSB will publish their investigative report?

[az_gila]

It wasn't a flight from AZ, that happened a day or two earlier. It was also departing the airport.

From one of the articles...

In response to an email inquiry, a spokesman for the FAA said only that the Lancair had crashed under “unknown circumstances” after departing from Van Nuys Airport.

Perhaps an engine failure on takeoff and an attempt at the “impossible 180 turn”?